Meta’s Muse AI app logged 1.8 million downloads and 642,000 U.S. daily active users in its first 12 days, surpassing OpenAI’s ChatGPT on the same metrics, according to third‑party estimates.
Third‑party data shows Muse ahead in downloads
Market‑intelligence firm Apptopia, as reported by TechCrunch, estimates that Muse was downloaded 1.8 million times in the United States and Canada during its first twelve days on the market. By contrast, the same source puts ChatGPT’s download total at 1.3 million for the identical period.
“Muse’s app on mobile devices has been downloaded more times during its first 12 days on the market than ChatGPT was in the 12 days after its debut… Muse has now seen 1.8 million downloads to ChatGPT’s 1.3 million.” – TechCrunch (citing Apptopia)
The figures are limited to iOS data in the U.S. and Canada, the two markets where both companies have focused their mobile roll‑outs.
Daily active users also favor Muse
Apptopia’s usage estimates paint a similar picture for engagement. Muse’s U.S. daily active user (DAU) count stands at 642,000, while ChatGPT recorded 231,000 DAUs over the same twelve‑day window.
“Apptopia’s data indicates that Muse’s U.S. daily active users are now higher than they were for ChatGPT at the same point after its launch… Muse comes in higher with 642,000 daily users compared with 231,000 for ChatGPT at the time.” – TechCrunch (citing Apptopia)
Both download and DAU metrics are drawn from the same Apptopia methodology, ensuring a like‑for‑like comparison.
App Store ranking shift
Within days of its release, Muse moved from the No. 2 slot to No. 1 on the U.S. App Store, overtaking ChatGPT. The ranking change underscores the speed with which Meta’s offering captured consumer attention in the competitive AI‑app space.
Context: Meta’s scale and OpenAI’s footprint
Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ: META) remains one of the world’s largest technology firms. Its most recent SEC filing (Form 10‑Q, filed 30 July 2026) reports total assets of $449.956 billion and shareholders’ equity of $261.221 billion as of 30 June 2026. Revenue for the 2018 fiscal year was $38.924 billion, while net income for the 2026 fiscal year stood at $42.621 billion. These figures illustrate the financial depth behind Muse’s launch.
OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, lists roughly 4,500 employees and was founded on 11 December 2015. Unlike Meta, OpenAI does not file public financial statements, so the only quantitative comparison available for the early mobile rollout comes from third‑party estimates.
What remains unclear
The Apptopia numbers are estimates, not disclosed by either Meta or OpenAI. They cover only the U.S. and Canada and only iOS devices, leaving Android performance and other regions unmeasured. Neither company has confirmed the methodology behind the figures, and no official download or usage data have been released.
Future reporting windows will reveal whether Muse can sustain its early lead or if ChatGPT’s broader ecosystem narrows the gap.
| App | Downloads (million) | U.S. Daily Active Users |
|---|---|---|
| Muse (Meta) | 1.8 | 642,000 |
| ChatGPT (OpenAI) | 1.3 | 231,000 |
| Source: TechCrunch (citing Apptopia) | ||
Analysts will watch the next reporting period to see if Muse’s early momentum translates into longer‑term market share, especially as both firms expand to Android and other regions.